Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists participants alike. Citizen can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour interactions. At the same time, foster participant engagement, regardless pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, permit new types data to be collected. Yet, may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological demanding training participants. Technology could reduce people's direct involvement engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current have spurred an increase projects implementation emerging enhance scientific impact public engagement. We show technology act as (i) a facilitator efforts, (ii) enabler research opportunities, (iii) transformer science, policy participation, but become (iv) inhibitor equity rigour. is developing fast promises provide many exciting insect monitoring, while seize these must remain vigilant against potential risks. article part theme issue ‘Towards toolkit global biodiversity monitoring’.

Language: Английский

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Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, yet our knowledge their diversity, ecology and population trends remains abysmally poor. Four major technological approaches coming to fruition for use in insect monitoring ecological research—molecular methods, computer vision, autonomous acoustic radar-based remote sensing—each which has seen advances over past years. Together, they have potential revolutionize ecology, make all-taxa, fine-grained feasible across globe. So far, within among technologies largely taken place isolation, parallel efforts projects led redundancy a methodological sprawl; yet, given commonalities goals approaches, increased collaboration integration could provide unprecedented improvements taxonomic spatio-temporal resolution coverage. This theme issue showcases recent developments state-of-the-art applications these technologies, outlines way forward regarding data processing, cost-effectiveness, meaningful trend analysis, open requirements. papers set stage future automated monitoring. article is part ‘Towards toolkit global biodiversity monitoring’.

Language: Английский

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Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect in Global South-world developing least-developed countries as identified by United Nations Conference on Trade Development-highlighting challenges proposing strategic solutions. An analysis publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance research contributions between North South, highlighting disparities entomological scarcity taxonomic expertise South. We discuss socio-economic factors that exacerbate issues, including funding disparities, collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles impact local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize crucial role environmental shaping diversity, particularly tropical regions facing multiple climate change, urbanization, pollution various anthropogenic activities. also stress need entomologists advocate ecosystem services provided insects addressing issues. To enhance capacity, propose strategies such community engagement, outreach programmes cultural activities instill appreciation. Further, language inclusivity social media use are emphasized effective communication. More collaborations with counterparts, areas molecular biology remote sensing, suggested technological advancements. conclusion, advocating these strategies-global collaborations, a diverse integration transverse disciplines-aims address foster inclusive, sustainable contributing significantly overall health. article part theme issue 'Towards toolkit global monitoring'.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying the value of participatory science data for conservation decision‐making

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Abstract Monitoring biodiversity can be critical for informing effective conservation strategies, but also deplete the resources available management actions if time and money both activities are limited. Freely participatory science data may help alleviate this issue, only quality is sufficient to inform best decisions. Our objective was quantify predicted outcomes of prioritizing action based on regional compared using targeted professional monitoring data. Using from BirdReturns program in Central Valley California as a case study, we prioritized properties probability detecting seven shorebird species, range budgets constraints. For prioritizations conducted surveys, cost deducted total budget action. Crowd‐sourced performed better than even before accounting monitoring, substantially when costs were explicitly considered. The difference performance particularly stark at lower budgets, where consumed substantial proportion budget. Synthesis applications . Prioritizing high‐quality, freely could theoretically result paying allowing managers redistribute limited

Language: Английский

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A citizen science platform to sample beehive sounds for monitoring ANSP

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 375, P. 124247 - 124247

Published: Jan. 25, 2025

Language: Английский

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Come to the dark side – citizen science in nighttime ecology

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Nocturnal ecology has hitherto led a shadowy existence in ecology, which traditionally focuses on diurnal species and functional relationships the bright light of day. Yet nighttime hides exciting research insights urgent conservation issues to be addressed. Citizen science is promising approach support this urgently needed exploration.

Language: Английский

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Scientists' warning on the need for greater inclusion of dragonflies in global conservation

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract Dragonflies (Odonata) are ancient and familiar insects with a deep strong cultural association humans. They have an aquatic larval stage aerial adult stage, meaning that they respond to ecological conditions in both freshwater the adjacent land surface. Currently, 16% of dragonflies threatened. Overall, face several threats, especially habitat loss, landscape transformation, pollution, altered hydrology, spread invasive alien species, as well certain geographic‐specific threats. Overarching these which can be interactive each other, is issue global climate change attendant extreme weather events. While many localised specialist species under threat, some other dragonfly mostly generalists, benefit from moderate human activities, creation high‐quality artificial ponds. As well‐researched insects, play important role protection riparian ecosystems. Dragonfly assemblages great value sentinels deteriorating environmental ecosystem recovery following restoration. similar findings on threats conservation actions emerging across world, ecosystems require targeted approaches. Above all, must included more widely general biodiversity activities policies. targets, tools model organisms for action, act potential surrogates taxa also depend high water zone quality. research has paved way address challenges, including use new technologies, we now urge strongly policy management associated terrestrial realms. This inclusion effective appeal diverse community people odonatologists (citizen professional) through policymakers managers, all whom employ contribute freshwater‐associated conservation. Finally, propose action plan focusing five points opportunities, suggest where greater freshwater/riparian world.

Language: Английский

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AI, citizen science, and the 2024 eclipse emphasize the importance of light for bird behavior

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract On April 8th 2024, a total solar eclipse disrupted light-dark cycles for North American birds during the lead-up to spring reproduction. Compiling over 10,000 community observations and AI analyses of nearly 100,000 vocalizations, we found that bird behavior was significantly affected by these few minutes unexpected afternoon darkness. More than half wild species changed their biological rhythms, with many producing dawn chorus in aftermath eclipse. This natural experiment demonstrates power technology-enabled public science projects understand our world. Further, it underscores light structuring animal behavior: even when ‘night’ lasts just four minutes, robust behavioral changes ensue.

Language: Английский

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Species traits to guide moth conservation in anthropogenic regions: A multi‐species approach using distribution trends in Flanders (northern Belgium)

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(6), P. 1016 - 1032

Published: July 7, 2024

Abstract Insect abundance and diversity appear to decline rapidly in recent decades, garnering significant media attention, hence raising public awareness. Macro‐moths—a species‐rich ecologically diverse insect group—face severe declines, particularly urbanised intensively farmed areas NW Europe. Flanders is a highly anthropogenic region, serving as case study where the impact on macro‐moths of stressors like intensive agriculture, industrialisation urbanisation has been quantified through recently compiled Red List. Here, for 717 macro‐moth species, we calculated relative changes distribution area between reference period (1980–2012) subsequent (2013–2022). By correlating these species‐specific trends with 10 key ecological life history traits, more general Multi‐Species Change Indices (MSCIs). These MSCIs showed that species associated wet biotopes heathlands declined average by 20%–25%, while (sub)urban increased than 60%. Species feeding lichens or mosses 31%, grass‐feeding decreased 20%. Both very small (+34%) large (+15%) increased, whereas medium‐sized 5%. Monophagous (+17%), migrant (+88%) colour‐invariable (+5%) colour‐variable (−8%). Finally, Holarctic (−21%) Palaearctic (−5%) decreased, Mediterranean (+27%) Western‐Palaearctic (+9%) increased. Our trait‐based approach identifies threats mitigation strategies moths regions, offering evidence‐based insights crafting efficient management recommendations informed conservation policies safeguard moth communities.

Language: Английский

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Acoustic monitoring for tropical insect conservation

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 5, 2024

Abstract Monitoring the species-specific sounds produced by insects could provide us with a rapid, reliable, non-invasive measure of tropical ecosystem health and biodiversity. Although acoustic biodiversity monitoring has made rapid progress over past decade, focus been mostly on vertebrates, even though far outnumber them, soundscapes are dominated insect sounds. Here we an overview song features for major sound-producing groups, identify technological milestones describe impediments analyzing communities. We review some promising best-practices using singing profiling tracking diversity in rainforest ecosystems under threat. suggest roadmap joint research efforts to accelerate assessments based re-using wealth existing data from Passive Acoustic (PAM) combination curated multimedia repositories citizen science.

Language: Английский

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